Hello everyone! I hope your all having a wonderful day. Thank you all so much for the kind words and encouragement and understanding as I took some time to recover from my stroke. We're still figuring everything out, but now I'm feeling well enough to start posting. Of course my next update won't be until next Sunday! Enjoy!

Chapter Twenty-One

The apartment Edward got for me was right next to Alice's apartment building. I felt a sickening feeling in my gut that I recognized was guilt and shame. I didn't like people to pay for things for me. It made me feel like I owed them.

"This place has an elevator." Jasper said as he helped me into the apartment building.

"Thank god." I said. My foot was absolutely killing me and all I wanted to do was take a painkiller and take a nap.

Edward had been right about the security in this place. It made me feel better to see a man at the front desk and have a special key to get into the elevator. It would be safer here, but I couldn't imagine how much it must cost every month.

"I guess I'm going to have to get new furniture." I sighed as we got into the elevator.

"No this place comes furnished. You can change it if you like, but Edward got you an apartment that was technically one they showed to potential renters. They kept all of the furniture in the apartment for you."

"Oh he didn't have to do that." I said before thinking of something, "Wait, does that mean they're going to come into my apartment and show it?"

"No, they're going to decorate another one to show. You won't have to worry about anyone bothering you."

My apartment wasn't on the top floor, but it was up pretty high up there. Not that I really cared where the apartment was. A big part of me was leaning towards not being in New York for much longer.

"What's in the grocery bag?" I asked once we got to my floor.

"I'm putting some extra locks on your door. Just for extra security so you feel safe." Jasper said as he unlocked my door for me.

The apartment was a hell of a lot bigger than my old one, but it wasn't enormous, which I was thankful for because I don't think I would've felt right living in an apartment that was so lavish.

"I'm going to start fixing your locks. It won't take me long, then I'll get out of your hair." Jasper said as he kneeled down by my door.

"I'm going to look around then I'm gonna lay down." I said as I placed my bag by the door and took my nursing shoes off. Strangely, my feet hurt worse when I took my shoes off.

I limped into the apartment to take a good look around. It was decorated, as Jasper said it would be, but I had just assumed that meant there'd only be the bare minimum furniture, not decorative items such as vases, pictures, and little statues.

The first room you walked into was a living room that seemed to also be a study as well because there was a small section of the wall that was nothing but shelves that was filled with books. One of the shelves on the wall was long and when I looked at the study lamp that was sitting in it, I figured out it was a desk. As nerdy as it was, I was excited about the desk. It would be nice to have a desk to study at, instead of balancing everything on a couch.

This couch, however, was a lot nicer than my old grubby one. This one was dark blue and long, and it even had an armchair beside it that matched. There was a dark brown coffee table in front of the two pieces, all of which were facing a large, flat screen television that was hung on the wall above an electric fireplace.

There was a long counter space that separated the living room and the kitchen. The kitchen was even decorated with life's necessities. There were cooking utensils, pots and pans hanging from a rack, and a spice rack hanging above the oven.

I looked around and found an open door that revealed a bedroom. The bedroom was cozy, but I liked it like that. There was a queen-sized bed with dark purple linens and a long dresser with a big mirror on top of it. Plus there was a nightstand with a lamp on it. The bedroom was probably my favorite because of how cozy and not so lavish it looked.

The bathroom was in my room. It was pretty large. There was a shower/tub combo, a sink, and a toilet, but the real seller was the stacked washer and dryer. I was a little confused because, right now, the washing machine was running with clothes in it.

I limped to the washing machine and pulled it open. Inside was my clothes. I frowned, wondering why my clothes were not only here in the apartment, but why they were being washed.

"Oh don't worry about those dear," A voice said.

I jumped and turned around to see Esme. She was holding an empty basket.

"Esme what are you doing?" I asked as I closed the washing machine.

"Edward told me he found you an apartment and he sent me over to check on it before you came."

"Okay," I nodded, understanding that part. "Why are you washing my clothes?"

"The boys brought all of your stuff over, and I saw your laundry basket. I figured I'd just go ahead and wash it for you so you could rest." She said as she laid the basket down. "I also got you some groceries. The boys said that all you had in your fridge was old Chinese food."

"Oh, thanks Esme, but you didn't have to do any of that." I said as I watched her open the dryer and pull clothes out. "You don't have to do that. I can do it."

"I do not mind dear," She said as she pulled all of the dry clothes out. "I'm just going to fold these real quick. I was hoping you wouldn't be here until later, because I wanted to have it all cleaned for you."

"Esme really, this isn't necessary—."

"I don't mind," She smiled at me as she took the basket into the room. I followed her and sat on the bed as my entire foot began to throb.

When I reached out to start folding my clothes, Esme put the basket on her other side and sat down on the bed to fold. I sighed.

"I can fold something."

"No, no. Don't worry about it honey," She said as she carefully folded a shirt. "Why don't you lay down and rest?"

I knew she wasn't going to let me fold anything and I honestly didn't have the energy to argue with her, so I just decided to let her fold as I laid back against the large fluffy pillows.

"How was work?" She asked as I got comfortable.

"It was fine. Nothing too crazy," I said. "Edward came in twice, like normal."

She smiled. "Is he there often?"

"Yeah, all the time. They might as well give him a job in the infirmary."

"Oh, my poor baby. He absolutely hates that place. He is so excited about getting out in two weeks. We're going to throw him a surprise party the day he gets out."

"He'll like that I bet." I said as I curled up on my side.

"He will. He usually doesn't like having a lot of people around. He's somewhat of a hermit."

"That kind of surprises me. To me, he seems like the kind of guy that loves clubs."

"Oh not my Edward," She said as she shook her head. "He's more like an old man. He reads the newspaper every day at breakfast, and he would much rather read a book than party."

"Huh."

"Don't get me wrong, when he was younger, he did a bit of partying. But he always came to dinner. I think he did his partying afterwards. But Edward has always had trouble with people. Especially making friends. Oh he had such a hard time making friends."

"Really?" I frowned, "Why?"

"You know how cruel kids are," Esme said as she shook her head. "It took my son a few years to grow into his hair and his facial structure. When he was younger, other kids used to tease him about his hair and his nose."

"Wow, that's really sad."

"Yes it was." She sighed as she placed the folded clothes aside in the stack. "I remember this one time, I got into a fistfight with another mother over how badly her son bullied Edward."

"You got into a fistfight?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. Esme did not seem like the type.

She chuckled. "Oh yeah. It was bad. The day my son came home with a black eye and a fat lip, I lost it. I went right over to that woman's house and whipped her ass until her husband had to call the police. Carlisle bailed me out of jail that night, but that woman's son never fucked with Edward again. That was also the time Carlisle started making Edward take boxing courses with him."

"I'm a little shocked. Edward doesn't seem like the type to get bullied."

"Edward is so tender hearted. He's gotten much better now, but when he was younger, he really took everything to heart. I know he's gotten tougher, but he still takes things to heart. I know he gets his feelings hurt very easily."

"I think he's a lot tougher than that. I mean, being in prison is really tough and he's pretty much running that place now. All of the inmates respect him."

"Well, I guess with other men, he is tough. He can certainly hold his own now that he's older." She nodded. "But that doesn't mean he's not sensitive."

I suddenly felt bad for all the names I called Edward and how many times I implied he was a bad guy because he was in prison. I guess that's what happens when you talk to someone's mom.

"He'll like a party when he gets out." I said.

"Yeah, I'm sure he'll be upset though, because I know you and him are planning to go out that night." She said. "I hope you're not upset that I'm planning a surprise party for him, but my son's been locked up for too long. I need to spend time with him when he gets out."

"Of course I understand." I said. "I didn't know Edward and I had solidified any plans to spend time together once he got out."

She looked over at me. "You two are friends right?"

"We're…" I was stumped. Was Edward my friend? I mean I had been seeing him twice a day every day for the longest time now. We had good back and forth and… shit. Well, I guess me and Edward were friends.

And then today I tried to kiss him. Shit again. Maybe Edward and I were not only friends but maybe it was progressing to more. But the kiss was just a strange reaction to everything. I mean, people acted strangely when horrible things happened to them. That little lapse in judgement wasn't a big deal. And it didn't mean anything.

Esme smiled. "I know with everything you've gone through, starting a new relationship is the last thing on your list. But, and I know my son may kill me for saying this, but he is a very sweet man. So caring and loving. I know he is going to make such a wonderful husband."

I blushed. "I'm sure he'll appreciate you speaking on his behalf."

She giggled. "He will probably kill me. But I know he likes you quite a bit."

"I think it's just because he's trapped in that place. I'm sure there's other girls lined up to date him."

"Oh no," She shook her head. "There isn't. Edward doesn't date often. The last relationship he was in nearly broke his poor heart. This was several years ago. I was starting to think he'd never get over that girl and like another, but now he's been talking about you nonstop. A mother knows when her son likes a woman. And he likes you."

I blushed. "It's… complicated with Edward. I mean, I don't even know if I'm going to stay here in New York."

She looked over at me with her eyebrows raised. "What do you mean dear?"

I sighed and sat up, pulling my knees to my chest. "Esme… I'm not cut out for all of this."

"For what?"

"I was attacked last night. Three weeks ago I was mugged. Both of those situations had some sort of Edward involvement mixed in with them. New York is obviously too much for me. Edward is too much for me."

She patted my knee. "I understand. I'm not sure what Edward has told you, but… being in the financial business does create… enemies. Crazy people and—,"

"Esme, Edward told me a little bit about… everything. If I'm being honest with you, I don't really believe… well, actually now I think I'm believing…" I sighed heavily. "Esme, this is all too much for me. This is why I don't think I can stay in New York. I just can't do it anymore."

"I'm sorry sweetheart," She sighed softly as she rubbed my knee soothingly. "I completely understand. New York is a very scary place and sometimes, the people in New York are even scarier. The Cullen side of the family are involved with very scary things. Not everyone understands or can even handle it."

I nibbled my lip for a minute. "So, are you okay with the stuff your son is involved with?"

"Well, I don't know if okay is the right word for it. You know, many, many years ago, the Cullens came over with nothing. They spent years building themselves up and protecting their families. So, at the end of the day, everything they have to do, they do it for our family."

"And you're okay with that?"

She shrugged. "Yes, I guess I am. I know that whatever Carlisle does, he does for the family."

I nodded. "I think it's too much for me."

Esme reached out again and patted my leg lovingly, giving me a sympathetic look.